Things to do around (information obtained from the web) Go to the General store it sort of has everything... a real old fashioned General store with real service and not a checkout chick in sight (unless Brian or Michael is your idea of a checkout chick). It also has second-hand books! www.facebook.com/jindivickgeneralstore

The Jindivick Cricket Ground has the best view ever. Watch a cricket game if it’s on or just have a bbq and wander through the community garden looking at the plants, sculptures and trying out the fitness equipment.

Try a meal at either the Jindi Caf or the Jindivick Harvest Kitchen. The Harvest Kitchen is run by Craig and Shoko and is in the good food guide. It also has very relaxing views to enjoy with your meal or wine. (http://www.jindivickharvestkitchen.com.au/) The Caf is run by Sue and has the best Burgers for miles around www.facebook.com/TheJindiCaf

Browse the plants and garden-wares at the Jindivick Country Gardener. David has accumulated a wonderful variety of rare and unusual plants and garden decorations. www.jindivickcountrygardener.com.au/

B’zarte has over 50 artists represented as well as antiques. Fay who runs it isn’t an antique and she will point out some of our individual and local talent.

Down the Main Jindivick Rd about a couple of Km’s is Laurie Collins’ Sculpture Garden where you can wander through the acre of sculpture and gardens. This is always changing and you might even find Laurie somewhere behind one of the big piles of steel waiting to be made into Art. www.lauriecollins.com.au This is where our exhibition will be held.

Next to Laurie on the corner of Quarry Rd is Jeff and Jeanette Hyde’s studio this is open by appointment to show a range of light shades and other horseshoe based creations. www.jeffandjeanette.com.au/

Further down Main Jindivick road is the Drouin Speedway and if it is the second Saturday of the month races are often run here. Give it a try as its colourful, noisy and friendly http://drouinspeedway.com/

More art awaits if it is the weekend and you venture down Main Jindivick Rd to the end, turn left then take the first Rd on the right. This is Bradley Hall, the gallery of artist Gary Miles. Gary has an international following and there is a variety of other artist’s work there as well. www.garymilesart.com.au/

Further along Old Telegraph Rd West is Rokeby Flora and Fauna reserve which is an old rail trail, shortish and lovely walk down to the Tarago for fishing, picnic or just walking the dog. Across the road and behind Rokeby common is an extended bike/horse/walk rail trail www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/files/a4b7d44bc888-4950-8a4f9ffd00b4d687/Neerim_District_p37- 38.pdf.

On the first Saturday of the month is Jindi Market and this is in the car park of the Harvest Kitchen. On the second Saturday of the month Rokeby Market is on and this is at Rokeby reserve

In a different direction heading west from the town along Jacksons track about 2km is Nangara Reserve which is a Nature and art reserve made from a revegetated disused quarry. Gentle walks (although there are some steep bits if you want) and wombat seats and fine ceramic sculptures by local artist Graham Duell. www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/files/2879b46ccbd8-43ab-b2ad- 9ffd00b4d3b1/Jindivick_p2526.pdf

Follow further along Jacksons Track (at the bottom of the hill is McDonalds Rd,) go up that till you hit a Rd on the left and go to Gypsy Creek winery for a fine meal and a lovely wine with Sam and Mary. www.gypsycreekwines.com.au/ SOMEWHERE TO STAY

Glen Cromie Caravan Park, Drouin West Rokeby/Jindivick [email protected]

Neerim Sth Caravan Park, [email protected] Vue at Jindivick, mailto:[email protected]

Parnassus Winery Steakhouse, coffee shop & accommodation Phone 0459 496 037

Bloomfield Cottages (Nilma east of ) http://www.bloomfieldcottages.com.au/ Blerick Bed & B Sth. http://www.blerick.com.au/ Forest Edge CYC Neerim Nth group accommodation http://forestedge.cyc.org.au/ Mira Mira Fantasy (Crossover Neerim Sth) http://www.miramira.com.au/ This just a few view the following website for more accommodation http://lauriecollins.com.au/local_tourist_attractions/where_to_stay_in_west_gippsland

SOMETHING TO PHOTOGRAPH

Gateway to Take a photo beside Neerim Sth’s own Blue Poles. The Neerim Bower is on the south side of town and was part of a small towns transformation project in 2014 .Designed by local artists Christine Cochrane, Keith Graham and Phil Henshall. The bower is a majestic artistic landmark.

Enjoy a unique natural delight at Glen Nayook: This is just out of Neerim Junction and is a magnificent tree fern gully split rocks and moss covered granite boulders. Vegetation is a mountain ash forest and tree ferns with remnant myrtle beech trees growing in the valley floor and it also has a disappearing stream www.visitbawbaw.com.au/walking-cycling/glen- nayook-rainforest-walk

Walk or ride along the Rokeby to Neerim walking/cycling path as it winds its way through bushland and agricultural areas and provides fantastic views of the beautiful scenery. Commencing behind Rokeby Common, this trail passes through the Crossover Regional Park and by the Crossover Trestle Bridge then follows the Main Neerim Road to the edge of Neerim.. Rokeby to Crossover: 4km , Crossover to Neerim South: 3km, Neerim South to Neerim: 5.59

Picnic at Tarago Reservoir Park Discover the beautiful walking path at the bottom of the dam wall. The walk winds its way through a damp valley, which is home to eucalypts and tree ferns over two hundred years old. The picnic area has pleasant lawns with unique views of the reservoir and surrounding landscapes. www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/tarago-reservoir-park

Have a great pub meal at the Neerim South Hotel.( seniors specials) A lovely back area overlooking the Tarago reservoir is a fine place to spend a summer or winters afternoon.

Have a BBQ at the park in town just beside the skate park and near the toilets and shops

Pub Art We are the Licenser of Jack Daniels memorabilia and manufacturers with beautiful wood turned products in our show room, (bar wares, games and accessories) and a large working factory out the back. We are open every weekday and weekends by appointment Ph 03 5626 7000 E [email protected] 1345 Main Neerim Rd Neerim Sth

Alpine Trout Farm Bring the whole family for a great outing. Catch your own trout and salmon. Smoked trout and fresh fish for sale. BBQ areas. Fish available for dam stocking, Venue: Alpine Trout Farm Location: 115 Mt Baw Baw2 Tourist Road, Open: Seven days a week 9.30am – 5pm Enquiries: 5628 9584

Candalaraine Alpacas Specialises in all things alpaca, including unique hand crafted Alpaca wear, designed and made by local crafts people. Venue: Candalaraine Alpacas Location: 2035 Main Neerim Road, Neerim South Open 7 days 9am – 5pm Bus groups by appointment. Enquiries: 5628 1718 www.candalaraine.com Visit the animals at Gracefield Cottage & Venison farm. Hand feed the majestic Canadian Elks, and goats. The animals roam freely in natural surroundings. 135 Road, Neerim South. – www.gracefieldcottage.com.au

Buy a tree at Blerick Tree Farm: An award-winning nursery with over 4000 advanced trees. Expert knowledge and advice. Ornamental trees, Fruit and Citrus, Hedges, Shrubs and Natives. 55 McDougal Road, Neerim South. www.blerick.com.au See local art at The Serigraph Gallery This is the old bank building at the roundabout. Open: 10:30am to 4:30pm Friday through Sunday and most public Holidays. www.serigraphgallery.com Have a coffee at the Country Bean Café which offers great coffee and the freshest local produce and sensational service ( have a look at the conical object just outside here and try to think what it might be before you read the information board.

Find the Dragon by going down Bloomfield Rd towards Warragul. It is at Mira Mira accommodation and have a look at the buildings and the great hall if you can. www.miramira.com.au See artists at work. Local artist Judy Mackintosh loves painting animals, portraits & landscapes. See her studio by appointment 0418 134 615. www.judymackintosh.com Another artist is Kerrie Warren who creates action paintings by bypassing self censoring thought to 'feel' her way through the creative process. See her studio by appointment. www.kerriewarren.com.au 0411480 384. Visit the Alley Market on the 4th Sunday of the month between the Neerim District Community Bank and Foodworks. Local Food, produce, art and crafts. 9:00am till 2:00pm Visit the Noojee Trestle Bridge Surrounded by tall forest, walk the old railway line from Noojee to one of the only remaining historic timber trestle bridges in . Originally built in 1919 as part of a railway used to freight timber out of the district, this huge bridge has been restored and is the highest example of its type in Victoria. Wonder at Victoria’s largest tree. Drive a few km’s to the Ada Tree, a giant mountain ash that's one of Victoria's largest trees. Around 270 years old, it's about 76 meters tall with a circumference of 15 meters. . Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls. Head towards Mt Baw Baw and find the 3km circular track through the Toorongo Falls Reserve that takes you to the spectacular viewing platforms Observing cool mountain water cascading is an awe-inspiring sight. Lunch at The Toolshed Bar an iconic Aussie Pub famous for its corrugated iron bar, and massive open fire place. Examine the paraphernalia hanging from the walls, an amazing tribute to the history of Noojee. The Toolshed is well known for its big hearty meals like the famous billy burger and lamb pot roast. Loch Valley Rd, Noojee - www.theoutpostretreat.com

Sample a wine at Piedmont Wines. This is a family owned boutique winery specialising in regional wines. The vineyard produces shiraz, merlot, sparkling pearl, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay grape varieties. 3470 Yarra Junction - Noojee Rd, Noojee, - www.piedmontwines.com.au/ Catch and cook your own trout at the Alpine Trout Farm, Along the rd to Warragul. Bring the kids along and drop a line in and fish for your own trout or salmon then make use of the on- site BBQs to cook up your fresh catch or purchase smoked trout from their friendly staff.. 115 Yarra Junction -Noojee Rd, - www.alpinetroutfarm.com.au/ Have a beer at the Noojee Hotel where sometimes kookaburras visit the back deck overlooking the la Trobe river, meals 7 days, best pizzas in , open fire. Ask about the dinosaurs and have a friendly game of pool. The pub is on the road heading toward Mt Baw Baw. www.noojeehotel Have a meal at the Red Parrot Café. Brian and Narelle, the proprietors will delight you with an interesting and contemporary menu while, delivered with a friendly manner (even though all the food is prepared by Fussy Bastards) Try to capture the view of the valley from the rest area on the road to Warragul. A spectacular vista awaits a short drive out of town.

Brave the cold and have a paddle. The La Trobe River flows through the town centre and grassy parkland. At the northern end of Bennett Street is a park which has BBQ and picnic shelters, a playground and a small sandy swimming beach Find the old timber equipment along the Loch Valley Tramway walk. There are a number of bushwalks starting in Noojee and wet or dry they are always interesting. www.visitbawbaw.com.au/walkingcycling/loch-valley-tramway-walk Learn the History of the area at The Noojee Heritage Centre. This newly opened facility at the restored Noojee station has a beautiful steam locomotive as one of its main features. www.noojeehistoric.org.au/

More than 10 things To do around Jindivick

Basic History

Jindivick comes from the aboriginal word for broken apart (burst asunder) and the area was lived in by the Wurundjeri and Gunai Kurnai tribes before white settlement. Jindivick developed initially as a track to the Gold rushes at Red Hill and Crossover and there was alluvial gold in many of the local streams. The original Jacksons Track was the first spark to real settlement in the area .Jindivick was a timber community for a while as the land was being cleared and now is known for being prime dairy land. Jindi Cheese is a well known brand. www.jindivick.org.au/ is the town’s website